MelvinBragg

I suspect that Thomas could have a career similar to that of Lawless and that every so often when the subject of players we've let go who could have done a job comes up, he'll join him in the maybe but not a major mistake category...

On yesterday's showing, he'll have been more impressed by one or two others than Moult...

People saying we looked fitter than in recent seasons. Got to figure that part of this is down to an average age in the starting eleven yesterday of just under 24. A couple of us mentioned at the game yesterday how young the team was in comparison to previous seasons. Pleasingly only Kipré doesn't have a fair number of games under his belt despite this stat...

I actually despair sometimes. Tanner may turn out to be "not good enough" but certainly nothing in today's performance suggested it. Three of us at the game today, all of us hard to please, all saw some promise in him...

Other than the assist for Cadden's goal and winning the free kick for the fourth goal, I'm assuming? Thought Tanner and Bigirmana linked up well. Tanner showed good movement, creating space for Cadden and Bigirmana to move into. The move that put Cadden through in the second half was probably the best football we've produced in several seasons...

Agree about Frear but think the setup doesn't suit him. Could not disagree more about Tanner...

First time I've seen the new players. Brief thoughts on each.. Carson: Didn't have much to do but seemed vocal and keen to command his area. Kipre: Looks to have a mistake in him but there could be potential there. Dunne: Decent in the air and good distribution. Sure he'll have more testing games defensively. Bigirmana and Tanner: Put them together because the two of them were linking so well. Some of the one touch stuff was really good to watch (albeit we should take into account the quality of the opposition). I think these two should ensure we're not a long ball team that's dreadful to watch. Fisher and Rose: Both showed nice touches without really impacting on the game. Quietly optimistic. It was only Morton but Morton was enough to end Baraclough's reign...

Three at the back...

Looking at that lineup, could be 352 with Frear at wing back again or 442 with Frear playing left wing. Let's hope it's 442...

That suggestion that Robinson would favour Gordon is one I've heard. Not because of the Northern Ireland connection but simply because Gordon is more physically imposing...

Other than Blyth, who else could we mover our of our thin squad..?

To be fair he is quoted as saying "The way way they were playing isn't for me" so he is making a direct comparison...

Looking at the squad, given Frear and Tanner are the only natural wingers on our books (and Robinson seems to see Tanner as a second striker/attacking midfielder), I'm wondering if the perseverance with three at the back is less to with the defence and more a way to get width into the team..? Haven't seen any of the games so basing the question on highlights and what I've read on here...

Lot of beard action in last year's squad. Easy to get confused...

Not as bad as some made out, Clay probably was never going to be good enough for this level. But at a time where there are other former players being discussed as having talent but lacking application, I take my hat off to Clay. Certainly strikes me that he'll make the most of what ability he had. Unlike Brian Kerr, Derek Riordan and countless others, Clay won't sit at the end of his career and say "Could I have done more..?"

Difference is those three high profile players had resale value and value to the team so it may be that the clubs weren't motivated to simply get rid of them, not that they couldn't have. Blyth is a totally different kettle of fish...

Pretty sure that Fisher will score goals but Bowman certainly making a case for being first choice at the moment. He's at least making a mockery of those who lumped him in with Blyth as dead wood to be cast aside. I actually thought we might move him on simply on the basis that there may be more clubs interested in him than Blyth. But if we can get shot of Blyth somehow due to his behaviour on holiday and we see Moult move on, Bowman and Fisher as our two options at number nine doesn't horrify me. Interesting for me from yesterday's lineup. No Clay on the bench, instead Rose and Gordon. No Campbell either. If you figure that Campbell may have jumped Clay in the queue then Clay is now at least sixth choice for a midfield spot behind two teenagers. Robinson surely trying to move him on on that basis...

As does everyone with sense. What did he do?

Official club twitter has Carson tipping superbly on to the bar ahead of Queens Park goal. BBC has him flapping at a close range header. Which is more accurate?

Anyone any idea of lineup or scorers?

Indeed. How much is staying in the top division worth to us? Any fee for Moult has to be a bigger number than that. I know it's only a friendly but sounds like we're creating chances but not taking them at Gateshead. Maybe underlines (if it was needed) the value of Moult, not simply in terms of cash but in terms of what he offers the team..? EDIT Of course, as I type that we score two goals..

I had previously thought that but reading Robinson's comments, you wouldn't think so...

Despite Robinson's words on the official site, you have to suspect that he was one of the players that he was hoping to move on and therefore this affects the possibility of another striker coming in. Other than Clay, can't see many other first team wages we could free up with players being deemed surplus to requirements. Not sure how much money would be freed up by loaning out a couple of younger players...